Managing a Creative Life in a Chaotic World

American Library Association Mid Winter Conference

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the ALA Mid-Winter Conference in ALA. I knew it was going to be a good day when I ran into Eve Bunting. I illustrated her book HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE (Boyds Mills Press) which will be out March 2011. Authors and Illustrators seldom discuss a project, so its always a bit of a nail biter for me as to whether the author likes the art. Fortunately Eve seemed thrilled with the F &G’s (printers proofs) Can you hear my big sigh of relief?

So what was my take on the conference? Well, here are my notes:

1. Young Adult still is running strong with nearly every house trying to outdo the other in cover designs– lots of foil and relief stamping, fewer body parts, and more arcs than my arms could handle. I still managed to walk away with enough reading material for the next two years, but then again I’m a slow reader.

Caroline Arnold ( Polar Bear's World) and Sherry Shahan (Purple Haze)

2. Picture book promotion had less emphasis – lots of posters, a few give aways, spotty signings. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that these are hardly the cash cows they once used to be. Still, there were some beautiful books on display and the art is so oo-la-la! A little less pink and purple I think. And every one is in love with series. The motto has become: If it worked once, maybe it will work again–and again–and again. It’s all about building a following. No wonder characters reign supreme-Wimpy kids, Clementines, and Fancy Nancy’s.

3. Non-fiction in trade has always taken a backseat but librarians could be seen drooling over some of this years finds. Several titles were on display that were out and out gorgeous, well-researched, and often thought-provoking. Think Larry Dane Brimner’s BIRMINGHAM SUNDAY or DAVE THE POTTER, by Laban Carrick Hill which was one of this years Caldecott Honor books.

Then, of course, there is always the much-anticipated award announcements for 2011:Newbery : Moon Over Manifest by Clare VanderpoolCaldecott: A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. SteadPrintz: Ship Breaker by Paolo BacigalupGeisel : “Bink and Gollie,” written by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee